Educational Alliances

An Educational Alliance is a collaboration with an entity that participates in a reciprocal exchange of programs/services with ACA, or that works with ACA toward a common educational goal. Most educational alliances are defined through a memorandum of understanding or other such agreement. Examples of educational alliances include partnerships with universities, associations, nonprofits, and businesses seeking to make educational content available to expanded audiences.

America's Promise: ACA is a partner in the America's Promise "Grad Nation" initiative- a national movement to mobilize Americans to end the high school dropout crisis and prepare young people for college and the 21st century workforce.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Development and dissemination of health information concerning youth safety and health. Collaboration on research and scholarly activities. A CDC representative serves as liaision to ACA’s Healthy Camp Education and Monitoring Program. ACA is a partner in the CDC's "Heads Up" concussion prevention program.

Children and Nature Network: Promote the importance of nature for children and reconnect children and nature by sharing articles and research and developing nature-based education tools for parents/families.

National Collaboration for Youth: ACA is a member of the National Collaboration for Youth (NCY)- the longest-standing coalition of national organizations committed to advocating with and on behalf of youth and, in particular, in research-driven positive youth development.

National FFA: ACA and FFA collaborated on the Camp2Grow program youth leadership and environmental stewardship program that resulted in a curriculum designed for camps and other youth development programs.

Teach for America: Provide a continuum of opportunities in the areas of youth development and leadership from camp age through early employment; promote professional development and career advancement opportunities; and promote ACA membership and camp employment to TFA applicants.

Texas A&M University (TAMU): ACA and TAMU collaborated on new research to explore the workforce development outcomes of the camp experience for camp staff.

The Monday Campaigns: ACA and The Monday Campaigns are collaborating to promote health and wellness. As part of the "Kids Cook Monday initiative," camp directors and staff are being provided with a Toolkit for Educators to help them implement healthy cooking programs.

The Nature Conservancy: ACA is serving on the advisory committee for TNC’s national survey of youth ages 13-17 around nature/conservation/stewardship.

University of Arizona: ACA and University of Arizona 4-H are producing a Family Camp Best Practices Guide to promote family functioning and a greater connection to nature among youth and families.

University of Utah, Center for Health Sciences: Development and testing of ACA’s Youth Outcomes Battery; Research to identify factors that lead to positive youth outcomes.

USA Archery: Promoting the quality of camp archery programs and professional development opportunities for camp professionals.

YMCA of the USA: YMCA has supported the development of ACA’s Camp Program Quality Assessment and assisted ACA in piloting national grants and national programs like the Explore 30 Camp Reading Program.